a reminder

Just a reminder, and in case you didn't catch it at the bottom of my last post, I've changed to a Typepad blog. You can now find me at jumpupanddown.typepad.com. I'm sorry this causes you a little bit of work, but be sure to change your subscriptions, your links, your bookmarks, etc. There's a new post over there today, so come say hi! and Happy Valentines Day!

an accomplishment and an announcement

So, I did it - I finally finished the second, larger version of this bag that I have had cut out for at least two weeks! Nothing like a funk and a cold to slow you down. Today the sun was bright and shiny and it was making me feel bright and shiny, so I hope the funk is gone and I know the cold is gone because I can breath with my mouth closed for the first time in four days.

So, the bag...it's quite large - perfect for packing all sorts of fun stuff. I was thinking diaper bag when I made this, so I lined the entire bottom with pockets and added a cell phone and small pocket to the top half. I think I'll leave the small pocket out on the final version - it was just a little too much pocket and didn't really fit.


I also quilted the top part of this, but it took forever and it was really hard to make it all straight (maybe I was just trying to go too fast), and I'm not sure it really added that much to the bag (except for a lot more thread!), so I think that won't be part of the final version either.


I did decide that this one was good enough for giving away and now it's all packed with fun baby goods and ready to give to Peter's speech therapist who is having her first at the end of the month. Today is Peter's last session with her until May - I hope he transitions well to the substitute.

And my announcement (oh, wait, I just realized what you all must be thinking - no, no it's not that) - it's a new blog!! I've moved over to Typepad. So, take a minute, stop by, and change your reader subscription to jumpupanddown.typepad.com! I will probably just post one more announcement here in a day or two (for those who didn't make it to the end of this post) and other than that, I'll be completely on Typepad now. Hope to see you there!

Hello Autumn!

I am loving the crispness in the air, wearing a jacket in the morning, and the golden hue in the sun's light. This time of year may just be my favorite (I have a hard time deciding between the first days of autumn or the first days of winter with new snow). Call me crazy, but I love to wear layers, snuggle up with some hot cocoa and a good book and enjoy the chill. And I love it even more because I haven't experienced it for a number of years. This is our first year in Idaho at autumn time. California (at least where we used to live) has autumn for about 3 days - it goes from 90 to 80 the first day, then on the second day from 80 to 70, then 70 to 60 on the third day, and then it starts to rain and is 50 and winter has arrived. For the last three days here, though, I have walked out the door and thought,"Oh, it's a little chilly," and that thought has brought a big smile to my face. It's time to start planning for Halloween costumes (I'm trying to convince Ryan that we should do a Peter Pan family theme. Little P as the Pan, Me as Tink or Wendy, Ryan as Captain Hook and Baby N as Smee - leave encouraging comments. Maybe we can persuade him.) and Thanksgiving dishes and Christmas gifts. It's time for butternut squash (one of my all time favorite foods) to be in season. I hope there's lots of it here in Idaho like there was in California. It's time to pull out the cold weather clothing. Hello Autumn! I'm so glad you're here!

And autumn has perfect timing - it was nice and sunny and warm when we went to the fair on Friday night - a perfect farewell to summer. And I didn't get too many pics because we were too busy eating yummy junk food like these "Tortatoes." Gotta Love Idaho potatoes! YUM!
p.s. Check out this good cause if you're in the Salt Lake area.